Proverbs 3

1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart guard my precepts.

2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.

For they shall set before you length of days, and years of life, and peace.

3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.

Let not mercy and truth abandon you: encircle them around your throat, and inscribe them on the tablets of your heart.

4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.

And so shall you discover grace and good discipline, in the sight of God and men.

5 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!

Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence.

6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.

In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.

7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.

Do not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evil.

8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.

Certainly, it shall be health to your navel, and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.

Honor the Lord with your substance, and give to him from the first of all your fruits,

10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

and then your storehouses will be filled with abundance, and your presses shall overflow with wine.

11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,

My son, do not discard the discipline of the Lord, and do not fall away when you are corrected by him.

12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.

For whomever the Lord loves, he corrects, and just as a father does with a son, he wins him over.

13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and who advances to prudence.

14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.

Her acquisition is better than trading in silver, and her fruit is better than the first and purest gold.

15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!

She is more precious than all riches, and all that can be desired cannot prevail in comparison to her.

16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.

Length of days is at her right hand, and at her left hand is wealth and glory.

17 She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.

Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

18 Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.

She is a tree of life to those who overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessed.

19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.

The Lord founded the earth on wisdom. He secured the heavens with prudence.

20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.

By his wisdom, the abyss erupted and the clouds increased with dew.

21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,

My son, let not these things move away from your eyes. Preserve law as well as counsel.

22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.

And so shall there be life in your soul and grace in your voice.

23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.

Then you shall walk confidently in your way, and your feet will not stumble.

24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

When you slumber, you shall not fear. When you rest, your sleep also will be sweet.

25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,

Do not fear unexpected terror, nor the power of the impious falling upon you.

26 for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.

For the Lord will be at your side, and he will guard your feet, so that you may not be seized.

27 Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.

Do not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself too.

28 Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.

Do not say to your friend: “Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you.” When you are able to do so, give in the present.

29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.

Do not undertake evil against your friend, even though he has trust in you.

30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.

Do not contend against a man without cause, even though he has done no evil to you.

31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!

Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways.

32 For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.

For everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simple.

33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.

Destitution in the house of the impious is from the Lord. But the habitations of the just shall be blessed.

34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.

He will ridicule those who ridicule, but he will bestow grace upon the mild.

35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.

The wise will possess glory. The exaltation of the foolish is disgraceful.